Net and gross weigher



June 1946. E. w. VREDENBURG 2,402,217

NET AND GROSS WEIGHER Original Filed Feb. 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. E dric 14 Vredenburg fuqe /J- ATTORNEY June 18, 1946. E. w. VRED ENBURG NET AND GROSS WEIGHER Original Filed Feb. 24, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 18, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NET AND GROSS WEIGHER Edric W. Vredenburg, Berkeley, Calif.

Original application February 24, 1941, Serial No. 380,171. Divided and this application August 4, 1942, Serial No. 453,507

1 Claim. 1

This is a division of my application Serial No. 389,171 filed February 24, 1941, now Patent Number 2,346,882.

This invention relates to a net and gross weigher, particularly one designed for rapid measuring of selected weights of bulk materials such as dry peas, beans, corn meal, salt, sugar, candy and other like commodities to be Weighed, either in net or gross batches. The weigher of the present invention is simple, rugged and rapid in operation. It can be adjusted readily to mea ure out a batch on either a net or a gross weight and it can be adjusted to weigh various weights readily. Further, it is so fashioned that it is relatively fool-proof and requires a minimum of attention for its efficient operation.

While many free flowing materials can be fed by gravity, in the handling of some bulhmaterials difficulty is encountered in maintaining a flow of the material from a supply thereof during weighing of the material as a batch; this is particularly so with the handling of small batches of some materials. The Weighing mechanism of this invention involves a combined gravity feedvibrator feed. On free flowing material gravity alone can be employed while on others the two are employed together. The construction is such that bulk materials may be readily weighed out even though the flow thereof from a supply is an intermittent one and even though the quantity weighed is relatively small.

In the weighing of material it is, of course, usual to have the bulk feed followed by a dribble feed to the end that the final weight be accurately attained and underweight avoided. The Weighing mechanism of th present invention involves a novel, bulk feed-dribble feed control mechanism. While combined bulk and dribble feeds are not new by any means, the present invention is concerned with and provides a novel combination of a vibrator element nd switch control elements operated by a novel switch operator interposed between the scale beam and the switch or switches. While vibrators have been controlled off the scale beam by a switch, these prior art structures have not been simple, rugged or practical in the sense that they interfered with repeatedly uniform scale operation. The structure of this invention is simple and rugged. It has proven reliable over long operating periods in commercial practice.

It is in general the object of this invention to provide a reliable switch operator and a system of control for a vibrator element from a scale beam.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention has other novel and valuable objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will appear hereinafter wherein the present preferred form of weigher embodying the invention is disclosed.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof Figure 1 is a side elevation of the weigher mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken through the Weigher mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, through the solenoid box while Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the control of the hopper closure mechanism.

Figure 5 is a side elevation partly in section through the switch control box while Figure 6 is a section taken alon the line 6-4: of Figure 5.

The frame The machine of the present invention includes a suitable frame generally indicated at H and made up of suitable angle iron members 12 and The weighing mechanism The weighing mechanism includes pivot blocks i6 suitably secured on opposite sides of the frame II and engaged by pivots ll carried upon the U weighing frame member I8. A counter-balance and weight support [9 is mounted at one end of the weighing frame, as appears in Figure 2; this support carries a suitable platform 2| to receive auxiliary weights. This platform is ordinarily movable on the support l9 so that, in conjunction with nuts 22 the degree of movement of the weighing frame can be controlled through cooperation between the nuts 22, the platform 2| and a stop 23 extended between the sides of the frame H (Figure 2). The end of the support l9 carries dashpot 24 mounted between it and an extension 26 on the frame H. The dashpot is such that it prevents extreme fluctuations of the weighing frame in either direction but does not interfere with accurate weighing. As is well known, the dashpot includes a chamber containing a fluid as kerosene. This is forced to flow from one side of a piston to the other through a controllable orifice whereby the rate of travel of the piston under a given force is varied. By varying the dashpot adjustment, one can increase or decrease the period of the dribble feed by permitting the beam to move fast or slow, particular- 1y during that period just prior to the dribble feed being cut off.

A suitable discharge hopper or funnel 3! is carried by the weighing frame as well as package support means 32 shown as a platform. The platform is slidably mounted on a member 33 which 3 depends from the Weighing frame and is guided at its lower end by link 34.

The position of the weighing platform 32-. on member'33 can'be readily adjusted bymeansof lever 35. This has an eccentric (not shown thereon engaging the member 33 and releasably clamping the member between the eccentric and" one of the two straps 39 which support the 'plat" form movably on the frame 33. (See Fig. 3 in my. application Ser. No. 380,171 filed Feb. 24, 1943,. now Patent No. 2,346,882 of April 18, 1944.) The. Weighing frame and the platform are locked in. position when a packag is removed therefrom by engaging finger H with a rod 42 (Figure2) projecting from member 33. The finger is mounted on a shaft d3 carried in the frameand rotated; by lever 44 (Figure 1), whichcanbepperatedby hand-or bya foot pedal (not-shown).

In place of the funnel 3| one can employinstead the batch receiving. andretaining member shown at in my Patent 2,314,299.01" alik struc ture,v such structures being. generally known in the prior art.

The feed Mounted at the top of the ;-fran1 e.l-l and extends ingtherefrom to a source of bulk-.supply'is asuih able conduit 55 discharging into a hopper. 52.: Thi hopper is supported by spring strips 53.-.-at opposite ends thereof from a heavy; cast metal vibrato fram indicated generally .atgfi li. The vibrator fram 55' is in turnsupportedfrom the top of frame II by bolts 56 which extend through the top of the frame and springs 51 are placed betweenthe frame fi iandwashers 58 on the-bolts 55..so that: theentire vibrator. frame, as well as the hopper are supported-for vibration. Vibration .from the frame -.5'4;is thus :restricted and is not-transmittedto any appreciable-degree to the frame 1 I or to the support for the weighing moch anism. The frame. Bdismade relatively heavy in mass so that an electrical vibrating mechanism E l supported--thereon iseffective in cooperating withthe hopperframe 53 and vibrating the -hop per together with material therein.

The hopper discharge control It is to benoted thatthe hopper includes aver.-

tical;sicle62 and another side BSwhich extends, vertically and then .inwardly. toward side .62 and toward, a. discharge opening. 6 adjacent dischargeopening 64 wallfitincludes a 1ip,.66 over which the material passes.

A discharge. control. element indicated generally atGl is mounted upon stub shafts 68. which extend inwardly from frame H to support the.-

discharge. control element (Fig. 2). The discharge control element is ordinarilymovable between an open and a closed position; in theopen position the element 51 i moved away fromlip 66 and only partiallycovers opening 64 and free discharge from the hopper'is permitted'while in the closed position the element 61 i against lip 55. and discharge i entirely restricted. Thi construction, in conjunction with th vibration of only. the hopper, is particularly effective in the.

berwhereby lumps. orgranulesof material which 1 would otherWise..-interfere;,With.free flow. to,:the;

mounted upon the side of the machine.

discharge opening 64 are broken up and pass on freely.

' Discharge control:

The stub shafts 69 supporting the closure element 6! are carried in suitable bearings ll Upon onestiubshaft (Figure 4) is mounted a crank 12 normally. biased in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 3 by a spring 73 mounted upon an extendingistationary pin 14 supported on the frame plungers BI and 82 associated with'a first solenoid' coil 83 and a second solenoid coil 84=mounted ina closure-85 upon-theside frame-of the machine. Normally, lever 16 is supported between pin-14 and stop Stadiustably positioned-on-theside ofthe frame ll by nuts 87; Aswill presently appear, under the control of th weighing -mech-- anism the first solenoid c0i1'83 is energized simuli taneouslywith the-second solenoid coi1-8'4-Where by plungerstl and 82 are raised simultaneously.

Thi is effective to rock the crank 12'c1ockwise-in' against spring 13 whereby the hopper: closure element SI is rocked clockwisein Figure-2 Figure 3 and bulk material in the hopper: canx discharge.

As will also presently-appear,- the-vibrating ele-- ment 6| isenergized smultaneouslywith solenoid coil 83.

The weighing frame rocksabout its-pivot upon. discharge of materialinto asuitably positioned bag or receptacle thereon; this is effective, aswill presently appear, to' cause the second solenoid coil 84 to be de-energized whereby its plunger-82 drops and lever lfiengages the stop .86.-

feed from the hopperis decreased to a-lesser rate,

the dribble feed; The size of the. openingbetween. the closure element and the lip 66, thatthrough. which the dribble passes,.is-controlled.by the ad.-..

justable stop 86.,

When the Weighing framehas approachedand.

is in that position corresponding .to. theweight for which it is adjusted; the energizationzof'thez vibratingmechanism, and the .first solenoid: 83. is discontinued and thefirstiplungerfi [:is permitted to drop andjthe. closure element is moved. into. closed position. The foregoing, operation will be; further-described; in conjunction with the following mechanism. Of course; in place ofsolenoidsand electrical vibrating mechanisms; other mechanisms can ,be usedto effect vibration-and movementof the plungers. However; I prefer to employ the electrical means ,described,. particu-.. larly becauseof the quick, accurate control there.-

by assured.

Vibrator and dischargecontrol mechanism In accordance Withthis invention.I mount a plate IE)! on the side of the weighingfrarne. as .appears in Figure l.

a control element, extendinghorizontally-from This. plate is. employed as the weighing frame over a first-beam IQZandasecond beam H33. These beams are-respectively supported upon pivots Midand we carried by a suitable support structure tilt on the side frame Each beam respectively carries of the machine. a counterweight I07. and l-fl8'cwhich' can he slid along the beam and .lockedina selectedposition- Beam I92 isengaged. by-a screw: llldwhichjs; locked in. position .witha lock nut. I l I SOIhEbIlShGC;

This closes partially the closureelementtl and the movement of the beam 5&2 can be coordinated with that of the weighing frame. A screw H2 and a lock nut lie serve the same function with respect to beam 463. Suitably suppo'ted on the sides of the machine and positioned with their operating elements extending downwardly are micro-switches H 3 and H5 respectively operated by beams l 92 and i The construction of these switches is that of the well-known structure sold under this trade name and more particularly described in Patent No. 1,960,020 issued May 22, 1934. As is well known, each micro-switch includes a permanently biased switch member moved by an operating element extending therefrom (elements H 5 and i ii in switches EM and i it) which element is movable over a very short distance, against the opposition of a spring therein, to open a circuit. Switch H5 is placed with its operating element spaced from the associated pivot its": for the beam 33 for some distance. Thus, a relatively small movement in the weighing frame is permissible before beam It? is effective to move element Ill inwardly and open the circuit through the switch. Switch H5 ordinarily controls the closing of the hopper discharge control element 6'! to provide a dribble N feed.

at is to be noted that switch control element 555 is placed relatively close to pivot Hi4 so that comparatively beam It? can swing through a very large path before the switch is opened. The switch is thus able to control the final dribble feed as well as the vibrator. A stop He is provided to engage the counterweight Hill and restrict the downward movement of the counterweight and thus prevent too much pressure from being placed upon the spring in the switch i I l.

v The circuit Power is ordinarily supplied to the device through power lines HI and I22. A control switch :23 is provided on the side of the enclosure 52 t (Figures 1 and 5) and power lead I22 is ordinarily connected to one side of the switch while power lead i'll is connected to terminal 526 on switch lid and terminal I27 on switch H5. The other side of switch I23 is connected by line 22-3 to coil E23 in the electrical vibrator 6!, the other side of the coil being connected by line 652i! to terminal Iili on switch I Id. The other side of switch IE8 is also connected to a line I 33 which extends to the terminals 34 and i335 in solenoids S3 and E i respectively. Terminal ISI on switch iii; is connected by line 531 to terminal ;I38 in solenoid 83 while terminal MI in switch H5 is connected by line M2 to terminal I 43 in solenoid Switch thi is thus effective to control the energization of the vibrator coil as well as the energization of solenoid 83 while switch H5 is effective to control the energlzation of solenoid .i 'i.

As the weighing frame is loaded with a batch of materials, the switches are successively opened, first to close the topper discharge partially and provide a suitable dribble feed and second, to discontinue the vibration and close the hopper discharge, the closing of the hopper discharge and cessation of vibration being eifected simultaneously.

The switch structure disclosed is particularly advantageous because with the first beam I02 and the second beam E53 supported upon the sharp knife-edge pivots its and 165, each beam protects its pivot support from dust Or collection of other foreign matter which might clog or tend to increase the resistance to operation of the beam. As a result, the weighing operation is unafiected over relatively long periods of time and little attention need be paid to the weigher,

The size of the counterweights and their position on the beams depends on the relative position of the supporting pivots IE4 and E65 for the beams lc i and iilii, the distance of the switch elements lie and Hi from the pivots and point whereat the moving force is applied to each beam. Those skilled in the art may make suitable modificatio'ns therein to the end that the required operating pressure for the switches be kept to a very small value, Normally the commercial micro-switch requires about fourteen ounces of pressure to open the normall closed switches. By employing the counter-weights, this pressure is largely offset so that the pressure required from the weighing mechanism is very slight. With free flowing materials the vibrating mechanism and its control can, of course, be omitted.

I claim:

In a device of the character described, a hop per for receiving material and for feeding material through an outlet therefrom to a container positioned to receive a batch of material, electrical means for vibrating said hopper to move material out of said hopper, a gate cooperating with said hopper outlet and movable with respect to said hopper outlet to provide (1) a first discharge opening from said hopper through which material can pass to said container at a first rate, (2) a second discharge opening from said hopper of a size less than said first opening through which material can pass to said container at a second rate and which is less than first rate, and (3) a closure for said hopper outlet cutting ofi all material flow therefrom, a first solenoid effective upon energization to move said gate from hopper closed position to said second discharge position. a second solenoid effective only upon energization concurrently with said first solenoid to move said gate to said first discharge position, a first microswitch effective to control simultaneous energization of said vibrator means and said first solenoid, a second micro-switch efiective to control energization of said second solenoid, means supporting said container and movable between a first position and a second position, said first position being that assumed under load of a substantially empty container and said second position being that assumed under load of a substantially full container, means effective to close said first micro-switch and energize said first solenoid and said Vibrating means when said support means is in said first position and to open said first micro-switch and deenergize said first solehold and said vibrator means when said support means is in said second position, and other means effective to close said second micro-switch and energize said second solenoid when said support means is in said first position and to open said switch and deenergize said second solenoid at a point in the travel of said support from said first position to said second position but intermediate said positions.

EDRIC W. VREDENBURG. 

